Lot 115: Yamada Hikaru (b. 1924)

Iron-decorated white stoneware vase Impressed signature Hikaru 8 11/16in. (22.1cm.) high In wood box titled Shiro gesho tetsu-e tsubo (White slip-coated iron-decorated vase), signed Yamada Hikaru zo, sealed Hikaru Early 1970s NOTES Yamada Hikaru was co-founder of the avant-garde Kyoto group Sodeisha in 1948, along with Yagi Kazuo (1918-1979) and Suzuki Osamu (1926-2001). Purely sculptural Japanese modern and contemporary ceramics can trace their origins to this influential organization. The striking black and white abstract calligraphic design that encircles this jar emphasizes its ovoid body and delicate mouth. A retrospective of Yamada's work was held at the Gifu Museum of Fine Arts, To no shirushi: Yamada Hikaru ten (Ceramic signs: Yamada Hikaru exhibition), 2000.4.4--5.15.